India: Maruti Suzuki launches the e-Vitara as its first EV

Maruti Suzuki has introduced the e-Vitara in Delta, Zeta, Alpha, and Alpha Dual Tone grades, priced at 1.599 million rupees (approx. 14,900 euros), 1.749 million rupees (approx. 16,300 euros), 1.979 million rupees (approx. 18,400 euros), and 2.001 million rupees (approx. 18,600 euros), respectively. These prices are ex-showroom, meaning they exclude road tax, TCS (Tax Collected at Source), insurance and other government levies.

Under the BaaS programme, Maruti Suzuki has set the ex-showroom vehicle price at 1.099 million rupees (approx. 10,200 euros) in the Delta grade, 1.199 million rupees (approx. 11,200 euros) in the Zeta grade, 1.429 million rupees (approx. 13,300 euros) in the Alpha grade, and 1.451 million rupees (approx. 13,500 euros) in the Alpha Dual Tone grade. It charges a battery subscription fee of 3.99 rupees (approx. 0.037 euros) per kilometre in the Delta grade and 4.39 rupees (approx. 0.041 euros) per kilometre in the other three grades.

Only FWD variants available at launch

Maruti Suzuki offers the e-Vitara in two single-motor FWD configurations. In the Delta grade, it uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 105.8 kW and 193 Nm of torque, paired with a 49 kWh LFP battery pack that delivers a range of 440 kilometres. Charging this battery pack from 10% to 100% State of Charge (SoC) via a 7.4 kW AC charger takes about six and a half hours. Using a DC charger, a 10% to 80% SoC top-up takes at least 45 minutes.

In the Zeta, Alpha, and Alpha Dual Tone grades, Maruti Suzuki uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor that develops 128 kW and 193 Nm of torque. A 61 kWh LFP battery pack powers this motor and delivers a range of 543 kilometres on a single charge. It takes about nine hours for a 10–100% charging session via a 7.4 kW AC charger. With DC charging, a 10–80% SoC session takes around 45 minutes.

Maruti Suzuki has priced the e-Vitara aggressively, undercutting competitors by a substantial margin. For instance, Hyundai’s Creta Electric, its closest rival, starts at 1.802 million rupees (approx. 16,800 euros) in the base configuration. The company is also equipping the EV generously across the line-up.

Well-equipped across the line-up

In the Delta grade, Maruti Suzuki includes features such as LED projector headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing front wipers, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, a PM 2.5 AC filter, sliding and reclining rear seats, and connected car functions. On the safety front, the company includes seven airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Stability Programme, Hill Hold Control, and an auto-dimming IRVM.

The Zeta grade adds a wireless smartphone charger and rear parking camera, in addition to upgrading to the higher-output drive unit and the larger battery pack. The Alpha grade brings LED fog lamps, upgraded LED headlamps with adaptive high beam and auto-levelling, ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment on the driver’s side, a fixed glass sunroof, and an Infinity audio system with a subwoofer. It also adds a 360º camera system and Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems.

Maruti Suzuki is offering a complimentary 7.4 kW AC wall box charger with the e-Vitara during the introductory period, along with a waiver of site survey and charger installation costs. It also includes one year of complimentary charging at dealerships, capped at 1,000 kWh. Based on the official maximum range, this could allow customers to drive nearly 9,000 kilometres at no cost. The company has commenced deliveries, but Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, said availability will remain limited until July due to production constraints.

marutisuzuki.com, nexaexperience.com (variants)